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Foodbank SA & NT Founder Leigh Royans AM Retires
FOODBANK SA & NT FOUNDER LEIGH ROYANS AM RETIRES
Foodbank South Australia & Northern Territory farewells Founder and current GM – Fresh Produce, Leigh Royans AM, as he retires after more than three decades of service, leadership and commitment to the community.
Leigh established Foodbank SA in 1997 with a vision: to rescue surplus food and ensure it reached people experiencing hardship. What began as a modest operation has grown into South Australia’s and the Northern Territory’s leading food relief organisation, now supporting more than 152,000 South Australians and Territorians every month, including many children and families. Foodbank SA & NT, then known as Foodbank of South Australia, officially opened its doors in Edwardstown in 2000 and has since expanded into a trusted network providing millions of meals each year.
Establishing and growing Foodbank SA & NT required vision, courage and personal sacrifice from both Leigh and his wife, Sandy. Through his determination and belief that everyone deserves access to food relief, Leigh helped build an organisation that has changed countless lives and created an enduring legacy of care, compassion and community support.
Over his many years with Foodbank, Leigh was instrumental in securing and strengthening key operations across Edwardstown and regional South Australia, including supporting the funding and development of sites in Edwardstown, Whyalla, Berri and Mount Gambier. He also played an important caretaking role in the Northern Territory prior to Foodbank SA & NT’s expansion into the region.
Leigh has also been an advocate for Foodbank’s free fresh fruit and vegetable program. His passion for providing free fresh produce, and his ability to bring people together around a shared purpose, have helped build relationships with growers, wholesalers and food producers across South Australia and beyond, ensuring fresh, nutritious food reaches people experiencing food insecurity.
His commitment to supporting regional and remote communities also helped establish Foodbank’s First Nations Programs nearly 20 years ago, providing vital support to some of the most remote communities across South and Central Australia, including communities in the APY Lands. These programs remain an important and valued part of Foodbank’s work today.
Foodbank SA & NT Chief Executive Officer, Ben Scales, said Leigh’s contribution to the organisation and the broader community was profound.
“Leigh’s contribution to Foodbank South Australia & Northern Territory is significant. As the organisation’s founder, he laid the foundations for the organisation and the operation that we are today. He pioneered many of the relationships that remain central to our work. Through his leadership, Leigh helped create a strong network of industry partnerships that continue to benefit Foodbank and the communities we serve.”
“On behalf of our Board, staff, volunteers, agency partners and the communities we serve, I extend my heartfelt thanks to Leigh for his service and leadership. We wish him and Sandy every happiness in a very well-earned retirement.”
Reflecting on his retirement, Leigh said he was proud of what had been achieved and deeply thankful for the generosity of supporters, volunteers, food donors and community partners who had shared in Foodbank’s mission.
“It has been a privilege to be part of Foodbank’s journey for over three decades. I sincerely thank our staff, volunteers, growers, food processors, retailers, wholesalers and fresh produce partners whose support and commitment have helped to create such a lasting impact.”
From a single warehouse operation to a network that now supplies more than 80% of food relief across South Australia and 90% in the Northern Territory, Leigh’s legacy will continue to have a lasting impact on communities for generations to come.
For fresh produce enquiries following Leigh’s retirement, please contact Peter Galuzzo, Procurement Officer – Fresh Produce via email: peterg@foodbanksa.org.au .